DH and I had a fight last night. What about? The significance of New Year's Eve and the start of the New Year. I know what you're thinking - what a ridiculous topic to fight about!
DH would not be home tonight for New Year's eve because he will be working. I wanted to have some quality time with him last night, so as to replace our time apart tonight. However, DH had a very busy day at work and running errands that he was tired. After dinner, he had to call our contractor to discuss some problems with the house renovations. He then had to discuss these issues with his father so that he can go over to the house and monitor the workers as we will not be able to do so.
When DH was finally free, I had dozed off. When I woke up about half an hour later, I felt really upset. The evening didn't turn out as I had hoped. I wanted an evening where both DH and I could sit on the sofa and reflect about how our year has been. It was not the best time to bring this up to DH but I did. He said that New Year's eve is just another day for him.It's no different than any other day. There's still work to be done, stresses of life to deal with and the problems that we have won't just go away with the clock striking 12 at midnight.
I told him that it meant a lot to me because I see it as a time to find release and to let all the pain, disappointments, anger and frustrations end with 2009 and to move into 2010 with a new and fresh outlook, filled with hope and joyous expectations.
To DH, New Year's eve and New Year's day are just symbols. Life goes on as per normal for him.
I agree now that what DH said made a lot of sense but given my agitated state of mind last night, I felt aggrieved that we had not spent a picturesque evening, talking about our recollection of the events of 2009 and our hopes and aspirations for 2010.
So, I went to bed, sulking and DH went to bed, irritated and frustrated with me.
This morning, I woke up calmer and somewhat embarrassed with the way I overreacted last night about this whole "New Year's eve, New Year's day" fuss. DH gave me a hug and a kiss in the kitchen before he left for work, wishing me "Happy New Year". I replied saying, "Why say it since it has no meaning for you?" He grinned and said, "It's important to you so I'm saying it."
After DH left for work, the words "new every morning" came to my mind and prompted me to look up this verse in the Bible.
"Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:21-23"
The author of the book of Lamentations was in a sorrowful state of mourning. Amazingly enough, these verses of hope and encouragement lie within this book. He doesn't tell us to ignore our pain and suffering and to just put on a happy face and cheer up. Rather, in a very realistic outlook, he told us not to give up hope but to remember the faithfulness of God. We are given a new chance in life every morning.
This means that we don't have to wait until next New Year's Eve to make resolutions to be a better person and to live a better life. We can resolve to do it every day!
True, as DH said, the end of 2009 will not make all our problems miraculously disappear. We will definitely still end up being hurt, angry and disappointed with each other and with the people and events around us. There will still be difficult times, sad moments and lonely periods.
However, with the start of every day, there is hope for something better. With each day, God gives us a treasured opportunity to live our best, to love and to learn from Him. This is a privilege we all have and it's not just restricted to December 31 or January 1 of every year.
On that note, a hopeful toast to everyone for a new beginning for every single day in 2010!
1 comment:
After so many yrs of married life, i kinda share your dh's perspective. I suppose I'm a little tired and jaded. BUT I agree with the verse, any day is a good day to do what you wanted to do, to have a new beginning. Although it would be nice to top off 2009 and start 2010 with a lovely cuddle and a deep meaningful talk why can't we do this every few days or when the need arises?
Also, pardon me but this is a very female/sentimental way of looking at events and few guys see these events fr this perspective. Eg my dh wld buy me flowers n a cake for my birthday becos he knows i appreciate it but for himself, he doesn't expect anything.
Perhaps I'm showing my jadedness. but I used to plan for perfect birthdays/anniversaries etc but over the yrs I realise tt what's more important is daily living. I can do without the trimmings on 'special event' days if in my daily living i feel loved, respected, understood and appreciated and tt's what i think we shd all strive for every day.
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